Inner Nature: The nature of instinct

By Vidya Rajan, Columnist, The Times One of the unexpected sights driving around my neighborhood in Chester county is seeing an adult male peacock with a magnificent tail walking about the streets. Peacocks are native to the tropics, and are the national bird of India. This peacock was probably bought as a pet, maybe as a pair, maybe alone. He’s since become feral, and has no partner. He has a big...

What To Do: Kimberton Fair returns; Oliver! under the stars

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Kimberton Fair There are two things you can be sure of in this area every July – scorching heat waves and an assortment of festivals, outside music events, carnivals, family-oriented celebrations and summertime fairs. If you enjoy country fairs, you should check out the Annual Kimberton Community Fair (Kimberton Fairgrounds, Route 113, Kimberton, 610-933-4566,...

On Stage: Andy Summers is more than just a legendary guitar player

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Andy Summers Andy Summers is most known for his work as the guitarist of the British band The Police. Summers’ innovative guitar playing created a new paradigm for guitarists in this period and has been widely imitated ever since. Prior to the Police, he played with various bands in the London scene including the Soft Machine, Kevin Coyne, and also...

On Stage Extra: John Ondrasik is a man of many talents

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times John Ondrasik John Ondrasik, a veteran rocker from Los Angeles, wears many hats. He is a singer/songwriter who plays keyboards and guitars. He is a philanthropist. He is a principal figure in a family business that has been around since 1946. He is a man who looks at the plight of people in Afghanistan and Ukraine and does what he can to help. When Ondrasik...

The Earth is burning and Republicans are doing nothing to put out the fire

By Rich Heiland, Columnist, The Times IT IS HOT here in West Chester, the place we now call home. It’s not hot by the standards of our old home in East Texas where heat indexes for the past week or two, and projected into the future, are somewhere around 110. No relief in sight. It’s not hot like it is in Vegas, or West Texas or any number of places. Our daughter checked in from Prague, where...

What To Do: Only in Chester County — Blobfest

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Blobfest There are many interesting events scheduled for the area this weekend. Some of them range from unique to common and from hysterical to historical. Phoenixville is hosting an event that is unique — and loaded with hysterics. Two of the most over-used and often incorrectly used worlds in the English language right now are “literally”...

On Stage Extra: Rachael Sage is focusing on performance

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Rachael Sage Rachael Sage is like a modern-day Renaissance woman — singer-songwriter, ballerina, pianist, poet, record label owner, actress, organist, writer and record producer. Currently, she is focused on being a performer. She seems to be endlessly touring world-wide and all across America. Fortunately, her schedule has included three local shows...

On Stage: Selwyn Birchwood returns for show at Sellersville

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Selwyn Birchwood Fans of blues music have a lot to get excited about over the next few days including visits by two artists from the prestigious blues label – Alligator Records. Selwyn Birchwood will headline a show in Sellersville on July 13 and Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials will have a three-day run in Philadelphia from July 14-16. Birchwood...

Houlahan opposes giving cluster munitions to Ukraine

U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-6) WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Friday morning, Representative Chrissy Houlahan (D-6), co-chair of the bipartisan Unexploded Ordinance (UXO)/Demining Caucus, announced her opposition to reports that the Biden Administration will provide cluster munitions to Ukraine: “From the outset of Russia’s unjust war, I have been one of the most vocal and supportive Members of Congress...

What To Do: Summer fun in the sun

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times ChesLen Preserve Summer has officially arrived and that means the event calendar is loaded with summer festivals. This weekend, there will be special events at two Natural Lands locations. On July 8 from 8-11 p.m., ChesLen Preserve (1199 Cannery Road, Coatesville, 610-486-6288, www.NatLands.org) will host a special event known as “Pints on the Preserve.” East...